Transparent conductive encapsulant for photoelectrochemical applications and methods therefor
AssigneeAlliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
InventorsAnn London GREENAWAY, Grace Ann ROME, Adele Clare TAMBOLI, Talysa Renae KLEIN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein are devices and methods that provide for the protection of photoelectrodes by encapsulating the surface exposed to the electrolyte with a transparent polymer containing dispersed transition metal coated polymer particles or spheres. Advantageously, these transparent conductive encapsulants (TCEs) provide significant conductivity while providing high transparency, allowing more photons to reach the photoelectrode, resulting in higher efficiency and longer device lifetimes.
Claims19
An encapsulant comprising:
- a transparent polymer;
- and
- a plurality of transition metal coated rigid polymer particles embedded in the transparent polymer;
- wherein the plurality of transition metal coated rigid polymer particles provide a conductive pathway through the transparent polymer.
A device comprising:
- a photoelectrode;
- and
- an encapsulant comprising:
- a transparent polymer comprising EVA;
- and
- a plurality of silver coated poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles embedded in the transparent polymer;
- wherein the plurality of silver coated PMMA particles provide a conductive pathway through the transparent polymer;
- wherein a first surface of the encapsulant is proximate to a surface of the photoelectrode.
A method comprising:
- providing a rigid bottom surface;
- depositing a solution comprising a plurality of transition metal coated PMMA spheres in a dissolved polymer on the surface of the bottom surface;
- applying a top surface barrier, wherein the solution is positioned between the bottom surface and the top surface barrier;
- evaporating a solvent from the dissolved polymer to form a solid transparent polymer with dispersed transition metal coated PMMA spheres;
- and
- applying a pressure to the solid transparent polymer, thereby exposing a portion of the dispersed transition metal coated PMMA spheres and generating a transparent conductive encapsulant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.